Scientists call for anti-terror centre

Britain is not doing enough to combat the threat of a biological or chemical terrorist attack, leading scientists said yesterday.

An investigation by the Royal Society found flaws in the way planners and emergency services detect chemical and germ warfare agents and clean up afterwards.

The society published a report criticising the Government for not making the best use of science and technology. It called for the establishment of a new centre, costing about £20 million a year for 10 years, to focus on the threat and pool scientific expertise and research.

The Royal Society report comes only weeks after Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said that a terrorist attack on London was "inevitable".

Last year, a committee of MPs urged scientists to do more to combat terrorism, and said Britain was failing to harness its scientific base.

The Home Office said it would discuss the report with the Royal Society. A spokesman said the Government had set up a virtual centre to foster cross-government counter-terrorism links in areas such as scientific expertise and research.

"We do not agree that the most effective way to deliver this is the creation of a new government agency," said the spokesman.

"We cannot deliver effectively everything we need in a centralised way, but need to ensure departments continue to work closely with each other."